Artist's Profile

Audrey Hayes lying on one of her artworks Name: Audrey Hayes
D.O.B.: 23/02/1965
Place of Birth: Manchester

In 2001 I decided to give up my eighteen year Social Work career to go back to education. In 2006 I graduated from the well-renowned Manchester Metropolitan University's Three Dimensional Design Degree with an Exceptional First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Design, Distinction, this success gave me the confidence to pursue my passion for creating unique objects.

I use the medium of wood to create sculpture, furniture, vessels, and wall pieces. I am inspired by the beauty and the simplicity of the natural environment and seek wherever possible to craft wood that has been discarded, due to damage or essential routine woodland management, into a new artistic form.

For specially commissioned pieces, which are often site specific, I work closely with the client to interpret their vision through my own sculptural style.

After working on the piece with a chainsaw and chisels I often chose to scorch the surface of the wood with a blowtorch, the carbon deposits are cleared away in preparation for the final oiling process - a technique that gives the wood an almost unnatural aesthetic.

Driven by the challenge and pleasure of simplicity I seek to capture a look and a presence that invites one to touch, question and caress each piece. I strive to maintain the organic qualities of the medium whilst offering a contemporary and minimalist form.

In 2006 I won an award at the New Designers Exhibition London, The award was given by Abigail Ahern, (Atelier Abigail Ahern, Islington) who is arguably one of the UK's most renowned interior designers. She described the award winning piece as "Crafted with passion and imagination which begs an immediate emotional response - powerful, sensual and utterly beautiful."

Qualifications

2001-2002 BTEC Diploma Art Foundation Studies - City College Manchester - Distinction
2002-2005 BA Hons 3D Design - Manchester Metropolitan University - First Class
2005-2006 Bachelor of Design - Manchester Metropolitan University - Distinction

Exhibitions

2008 - February, Waterside Open, Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, Manchester (Award winner)
2008 - January, Designer Crafts 08, Society of Designer Crafts, Mall Galleries, London
2007 - December, Eight, The Cube Gallery, Portland St, Manchester
2007 - September, Standing Room Only, All Saints Hall, Hale Barns, Altrincham
2007 - July, Knock on Wood, Leeds City Gallery, Leeds
2007 - July, The In Show, The Holden Gallery, Manchester Metropolitan University
2007 - June, The Sculpture Show, Croxton Green, Malpas, Cheshire
2007 - January, Designer Crafts 07, Society of Designer Craftsmen, Mall Galleries, London
2006 - December, Inner City Living, Preston Centre, Lancashire
2006 - September, Make Me Live, Urban Splash Timber Wharf, Manchester
2006 - September, The Sculpture Show, Marle Gardens, Kent
2006 - August/September, Objects of Desire, Atelier Abigail Ahern Showcase, Islington, London
2006 - July, New Designers, Business Centre, London (New Designers Award Winner)
2006 - July, Bachelor of Design Exhibition, MMU, Manchester
2006 - June, The Sculpture Show, Cheshire
2006 - May-June, North of Watford, The Platform Gallery, Clitheroe
2006 - January, Designer Crafts, Mall Gallery, London
2005 - October, A Haunting, Sackville St, Manchester
2005 - September-November, New Creators, Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley
2005 - September, 18 Modern Originals, Cube Gallery, Manchester
2005 - August, 100% East, London
2005 - July, New Designers, Business Centre, London
2005 - June, Degree Exhibition, MMU, Manchester

Forthcoming Exhibitions/ Events

2008 - June, Outside Art, Garden Sculpture Exhibition, Avondale Gardens, Mill Hill, Baginton, Coventry, Warwickshire (see 'News' for details)
2008 - September, Mount Pleasant Gardens, Sculpture Show, Yeld Lane, Kelsall, Cheshire
2008 - September, Content, Trueman Brewery, Brick Lane, London (see 'News' for details)

Publicity

2006 - June, Book, Communicating with Pattern - Dots and Circles. RotoVision
2006 - 7th February, Granada TV programme My North West
2005 - November, BBC Lancashire website article Out and About in Lancashire

Residencies

2006 - 2008, Artist in Residence, Manchester Metropolitan University, Sponsored by The Design Initiative, Manchester

Grants and Awards

2008 - April, Manchester Design Initiative, Professional Photography Grant, £500
2008 - April, Manchester Design Initiative, Exhibition grant, £1000
2008 - February, Waterside Open Art Exhibition, Highly Commended Award, £400
2007 - October, Art council England North West, Maintenance Grant £1000
2007 - July, Trafford Creative Industries Award £530
2007 - January, Arts Council England North West, Maintenance Grant £1000
2006 - December, Manchester Design Initiative, Equipment Grant, £2000
2006 - June, New Designers Award, Atelier Abigail Ahern Award, a showcase of my work during the London Design Festival2006 - May, Trafford Creative Industries Award £500

Audrey Hayes